How F&B Startups in Singapore Can Use Technology to Beat High Rentals
Liang+Wei Liaw • August 15, 2025
Starting an F&B business in Singapore is exciting—but also incredibly challenging. One of the biggest hurdles? High rental costs. For café owners, hawkerpreneurs, or restaurant founders, rent can easily swallow a significant chunk of your monthly revenue. But here’s the upside: technology offers powerful tools to help you offset high operating costs while keeping your service quality high.
If you’re an F&B startup wondering how to survive (and thrive) in Singapore’s competitive food scene, here are proven ways to leverage tech to fight rental pressures.
1. Choose a Strategic Location, Focus on Marketing
Instead of splurging on prime locations with sky-high rents, consider a more affordable spot and reinvest your savings into marketing efforts.
- Lower overheads free up cash flow for advertising campaigns.
- Boost visibility through social media, Google ads, and collaborations with food influencers.
- Leverage food delivery platforms as a marketing tool—offer first-time order discounts and bundle deals to win new customers.
2. Reduce Manpower Costs with Self-Ordering Tech
Manpower shortages and rising wages add extra strain to your finances. Self-ordering kiosks and QR ordering systems can:
- Let customers order and pay on their own
- Cut queues and speed up table turnover
- Reduce human errors in orders
- Allow you to run with fewer staff while maintaining fast service
3. Use Inventory Management Software to Cut Waste
Food waste is silent profit leakage. By using POS-integrated inventory tools, you can:
- Predict demand based on sales history
- Order just the right amount of stock
- Keep storage space lean and organised
4. Boost Off-Peak Sales with Smart Pricing
Don’t let your restaurant sit empty outside peak hours. Implement yield management by:
- Offering time-limited discounts between lunch and dinner
- Running loyalty rewards for off-peak visits
- Sending push notifications with flash deals
5. Invest in an Integrated POS System
A modern POS isn’t just a cash register—it’s your command centre. Look for one that integrates with:
- Inventory tracking
- CRM loyalty programs
- Delivery platforms
- Real-time sales reporting
This lets you make data-driven decisions while running leaner operations.
Rental in Singapore will likely stay high for now but by adopting the right tech stack, you can operate efficiently, save costs, and keep customers coming back.
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